Idea for a fifth themed area (a new entertainment district) at Disney Springs (and map/diagram)!

Corey

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Hello all,

I had an idea for a possible addition to Disney Springs. Basically, once the new garage is built adjacent to the Lime Parking Garage, work could begin on expanding the area's offerings near the West Side. In preparation for the expansion, a new 4,000 space parking garage could be built west of the Orange Parking Garage. That would then free up the parking area north of the West Side to be converted into additional attractions for Disney Springs. I was thinking that Disney could call this new district Recreation Point, since some of the attractions will be along the waterfront.

Among the various attractions could be a full size reproduction of the Casino (theater and ballroom) in Avalon on Catalina Island. The bottom floor could contain a theater, but instead of one showing movies, the front could be converted into a stage so a Broadway Show could be performed there on a permanent basis. I'm thinking Frozen, but it could be the Lion King. Above the theater could be instead of one Ballroom, there could be five floors each containing a club with a different style of music. One could be jazz, another swing for instance. The remaining three floors could have contemporary musical styles. Some of the floors would be adults only (21 years and up) and would serve alcoholic beverages, while at least one to two floors, clubs, could be for those under 21. There might possibly be an upscale restaurant on the Promenade (top level) of the Casino.

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Next to the reproduction of the Casino could be a short pier similar to the Santa Monica Pier, with a modest sized Ferris Wheel on it and shops. Next to the pier could be a small wooden roller coaster, maybe similar to the one at Disney's California Adventure. There could also be a two story merry go round (carousel) like at California's Great America. The pier would not extend very far into the lake since it shouldn't impede the boat traffic from the resorts.

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For additional entertainment purposes, there could be a Dave & Buster's for adults, as well as, a Pool Room/Lounge called "The Eight Ball" with at least 20 pool tables. Perhaps half of the "The Eight Ball" (10 tables) could be for the under 21 crowd, while the other half (the other 10 tables) could be for adults and have adult beverages for sale.

One of the last two major anchors of Recreation Point would be an indoor ice skating arena, where people of all ages could spend an hour or two ice skating. This would be a multi-use facility in that a professional ice hockey team could do their practices there when the ice skating rink is closed to the public (perhaps in the early mornings). This ice skating rink, which I am calling "The Disney Arena" (or possibly "The Disney on Ice Arena") could at the end of the day close for a show updating the old "Disney on Ice" show. There would therefore need to be arena style seating around the ice skating rink. Perhaps no more than 4,000 to 6,000 seats, unless the demand for the attraction called for a larger venue. I was thinking along the lines of something similar to the Expo Square Pavilion in Tulsa, Oklahoma since it has an art deco design and is just about the right size for "The Disney Arena."

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(I could see sculptures of Disney characters on top of each protruding exterior column (or whatever it is called) on the Pavilion.)

The other major anchor would be a roller skating rink, which I will call "The Disney Derby," where roller skating and rollerblading can be done. At the end of the evening when the roller skating rink closes for the general public's use, two roller derby teams (perhaps teams representing Disney in some manner) could play each other in the venue. Like the ice skating rink, there would be seating for the people visiting Disney Springs, but because of the smaller expected crowds, the seating might be around 2,000 for the arena that surrounds the roller skating rink. "The Disney Derby" would also look like the Expo Square Pavilion in Tulsa, Oklahoma since it has an art deco design.

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Well, these are some of my ideas for Recreation Point. With these additions, it would naturally complement the 24 screen movie theater and bowling alley in Disney Spring's West Side, and help bring more individuals to Disney Springs than simply shoppers or those going to see a movie. Well, let me know what you think. I think the various buildings could all have an art deco feel to tie in with the rest of Disney Springs. Furthermore, building an ice skating arena and roller skating arena would not be beyond the ability of Disney Imagineers, since they are so commonplace in other parts of the United States.

~Corey
 
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Corey

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Hey Corey - welcome!

This is an excellent idea you have here. Really like the concept of the Disney Derby and Recreation Point! Great use of the West Side.

Thanks spacemt354! I was thinking that Disney could build these attractions and recoup their investments fairly quickly if the Broadway Show, the Disney on Ice show, and Roller Derby events charged some kind of ticket. The Ferris Wheel, Roller Coaster, and Carousel also could have a ticket for each ride that is very modest in price but would pay for upkeep on the attraction. Dave & Busters, "The Eight Ball," and the various clubs could have a cover/entrance charge. I don't see really any downsides for Disney since it would bring some added nightlife to Disney Springs that has been missing since Pleasure Island closed a decade ago.
 

spacemt354

Chili's
Thanks spacemt354! I was thinking that Disney could build these attractions and recoup their investments fairly quickly if the Broadway Show, the Disney on Ice show, and Roller Derby events charged some kind of ticket. The Ferris Wheel, Roller Coaster, and Carousel also could have a ticket for each ride that is very modest in price but would pay for upkeep on the attraction. Dave & Busters, "The Eight Ball," and the various clubs could have a cover/entrance charge. I don't see really any downsides for Disney since it would bring some added nightlife to Disney Springs that has been missing since Pleasure Island closed a decade ago.
I totally agree. Recouping on investments is why a lot of things are built these days at Disney haha. And this would be a really upside for Disney Springs, especially the West Side that is confirmed to have DisneyQuest be converted into an NBA experience and La Nouba out the door. The East side of Disney Springs is all taken care of....the West Side is where the next leg of refurbishments and expansions should be. And this is a great start!
 

Corey

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I totally agree. Recouping on investments is why a lot of things are built these days at Disney haha. And this would be a really upside for Disney Springs, especially the West Side that is confirmed to have DisneyQuest be converted into an NBA experience and La Nouba out the door. The East side of Disney Springs is all taken care of....the West Side is where the next leg of refurbishments and expansions should be. And this is a great start!

Hi spacemt354, thanks for the kind words. Hopefully, Disney can get another Cirque du Soleil show to fill the venue. With Ringling Brothers going out of business, circus shows with animals will undoubtedly be a thing of the past in most countries. They might replace it with a Chinese Circus if Cirque du Soleil fails to come through.
 

spacemt354

Chili's
Hi spacemt354, thanks for the kind words. Hopefully, Disney can get another Cirque du Soleil show to fill the venue. With Ringling Brothers going out of business, circus shows with animals will undoubtedly be a thing of the past in most countries. They might replace it with a Chinese Circus if Cirque du Soleil fails to come through.
I'm sure they can -- I can remember watching all the in-resort TV Top 7 lists as a kid and Cirque du Soleil was always a big hit in WDW.
 

Corey

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I'm sure they can -- I can remember watching all the in-resort TV Top 7 lists as a kid and Cirque du Soleil was always a big hit in WDW.

It might be a little bit out of character for this art deco themed district, but perhaps in the same building as "The Eight Ball," or Dave & Busters, on the upper floor, there could be a laser tag attraction. Maybe they could have the lasers be blasters from Star Wars and you have to fight your way out of the Death Star prison cells to the launch bay for the Millennium Falcon. Meanwhile cast members dressed up as Storm Troopers shoot at you and your party. You and your party would shoot back escaping through corridors until you get to the launch bay. You wouldn't actually board the Falcon, but it would be sitting there in the Hanger Bay when you end the course. Just a thought.
 

spacemt354

Chili's
It might be a little bit out of character for this art deco themed district, but perhaps in the same building as "The Eight Ball," or Dave & Busters, on the upper floor, there could be a laser tag attraction. Maybe they could have the lasers be blasters from Star Wars and you have to fight your way out of the Death Star prison cells to the launch bay for the Millennium Falcon. Meanwhile cast members dressed up as Storm Troopers shoot at you and your party. You and your party would shoot back escaping through corridors until you get to the launch bay. You wouldn't actually board the Falcon, but it would be sitting there in the Hanger Bay when you end the course. Just a thought.
Yes!! Laser tag would be awesome -- I seem to remember in a project long ago I added a Tron Laser Tag to Disney Quest. That would work well.
 

Corey

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Yes!! Laser tag would be awesome -- I seem to remember in a project long ago I added a Tron Laser Tag to Disney Quest. That would work well.

I thought of Tron too initially, but it would be hard to aim at each other with the rings/discs they throw at each other. That's why I went with Star Wars. It already has a huge built in audience. The attraction would probably need to be on multiple floors to be satisfying. You could take an elevator/lift between floors. It wouldn't really matter if you worked your way upward since who knows where the prison cells on the Death Star were in relation to the hanger bay.
 

kmbmw777

Well-Known Member
Hi Core,
First off, fantastic ideas. All of them truly are.

One thing which I would consider adding is an escape room complex. I believe there was a project for the House Cup which did this. But you could have some Star Wars themed ones, some Pirates ones maybe, Monsters Inc I could see working, and I believe Marvel could even be used as it is outside of the theme parks. I may be wrong though.

Again, fantastic work!
 

Corey

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Hi Core,
First off, fantastic ideas. All of them truly are.

One thing which I would consider adding is an escape room complex. I believe there was a project for the House Cup which did this. But you could have some Star Wars themed ones, some Pirates ones maybe, Monsters Inc I could see working, and I believe Marvel could even be used as it is outside of the theme parks. I may be wrong though.

Again, fantastic work!

Hi kmbmw777, thanks for the compliments. The laser tag attraction doesn't have to exclusively be Star Wars, but any of what you said could work. If you wore VR glasses as you went through the course, it could literally be anything. While opening tremendous possibilities, it might not work though, because people might run into walls because of the disorientation. However, who knows what developments might come with VR in time. In any event, the attraction could be built in such a way that it is re-themed from time to time so as not to get stale.
 

kmbmw777

Well-Known Member
Hi kmbmw777, thanks for the compliments. The laser tag attraction doesn't have to exclusively be Star Wars, but any of what you said could work. If you wore VR glasses as you went through the course, it could literally be anything. While opening tremendous possibilities, it might not work though, because people might run into walls because of the disorientation. However, who knows what developments might come with VR in time. In any event, the attraction could be built in such a way that it is re-themed from time to time so as not to get stale.
While the laser tag attraction is necessary and amazing. I think an escape room complex could also add to the area. If you do not know what that is, it is a physical adventure game in which players are locked in a roomand have to use elements of the room to solve a series of puzzles and escape within a set time limit, or having completed a mission. This has never been done in Disney and could be really cool.
 

Corey

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
While the laser tag attraction is necessary and amazing. I think an escape room complex could also add to the area. If you do not know what that is, it is a physical adventure game in which players are locked in a roomand have to use elements of the room to solve a series of puzzles and escape within a set time limit, or having completed a mission. This has never been done in Disney and could be really cool.

Hi kmbmw777, I was unfamiliar with the concept of an escape room. However, that could be adapted to virtually anything. The problem with the static/physical sets is that they would be expensive to tear down and rebuild from time to time. Your idea has tremendous merit since it could be done very cost effectively and could be re-rendered into countless adventures. Great idea!
 

Corey

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Here is a rudimentary rendering of Recreation Point (located just to the north of a new 4,000 space parking garage to the west of the Orange Garage)!

While the new garage depicted here is rectangular. A serpentine design might better fit the existing contours of the surface level parking lot or lots that it will replace. I was limited by the painting tools in PowerPoint.
 

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Corey

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Very nice! Should all fit in that area!

Thanks spacemt354! With some creativity, all of the venues I mentioned earlier should fit, and perhaps more. Not knowing the scale of the map makes it difficult to guesstimate the size of the different attractions. Nevertheless, keeping an art deco theme throughout should help maintain uniformity with respect to the theme of Recreation Point overall. By having most of the entertainment offerings on the west side of Disney Springs, it should help to avoid having the luxury consumers of the shops on the east side mix with the entertainment seeking youths and young adults of the west side. While there is no reason that they shouldn't interact with each other, I imagine both would be happier focusing on the part of Disney Springs that appeals to them and forgoing the other part. Disney Springs should not be aimed at any specific group but should attempt to appeal to all age groups like the Mall of America or the West Edmonton Mall. Without my suggested additions of more entertainment venues, Disney probably would eventually add duplicates of the existing stores at Disney Springs. Such a move might attract people initially, but would probably in the long run hasten the demise of Disney Springs since it wouldn't be as much of a mixed used facility. Broadening the appeal of Disney Springs I see as key to its long term survival when faced with the rise of Amazon.com and other online retailers.
 

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